Central
American Pygmy-OwlA Reference for North and
Central American Owls

The Central
American Pygmy-Owl has a distinctive coloration that distinguishes it
from other pygmy-owls. It has a range that stretches from southern Mexico
down into northern South America. Here you can find photos, a Central
American range map and information to help identify and enjoy this beautiful
owl. The Field Notes section includes information on nesting, habitat,
behavior, vocalizations, description and identification. To jump
immediately to any of these sections use the Page Jump Links below.

PHOTO GALLERYClick on the thumbnail to bring up each of the
Owl photos.

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Veragua
Rainforest
Costa Rica
March 2011

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Rainforest
Costa Rica
March 2011

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Rainforest
Costa Rica
March 2011

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Veragua
Rainforest
Costa Rica
March 2011

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Costa Rica
March 2011

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Rainforest
Costa Rica
March 2011

RECORDINGS
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34KVeragua Rainforest, Costa Rica
March 2011

This is
the standard territorial call. It consists of a series of hollow ringing
notes given at three notes per second. Sets of notes about five seconds
in overall length.

FIELD NOTES
and Range MapCentral
American Pygmy-Owl
- Glaucidium griseiceps

The Central American Pygmy-Owl was formerly treated as a race of the
Least Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium minutissimum) which is restricted
to E. Brazil and vocally different. No divisions in race are currently
recognized although three have been suggested:
1. S. Mexico - G. g. occultum
2. Guatemala,
Belize, Honduras - G. g. griseiceps
3. Costa Rica, Panama - G. g. rarum

This is a small sized owl (5 1/2 - 6
1/4 in. in length) as are all pygmy-owls. It inhabits humid tropical
forests, adjacent secondary forests, and humid semiopen bushland from
sea level up to 1300m. It may also be found in mature or abandoned
cacao plantatations.It is often found in the canopy and edge of wet
forests. There is no overlap in habitat between the Central American
Pygmy-Owl and the similiar species found in its range.

It is not known to occur in different
color morphs as many of the other species of pygmy-owl are. The Central
American Pygmy-Owl is fairly unique in its markings and coloration.
The first thing that is noticed is that it has a brownish-grey head
(nape and crown) that contrasts with a rich brown unspotted back.
The head and nape are distinctly spotted off-white with some trailing
spotting into the upper chest. Tail much less barred than in other
pygmy-owls with only 2-3 broken tail bars on a dark brown, short,
tail. The underside of this owl has rofous-brown markings on a white
base. The upper chest is solid rufous-brown with the previously mentioned
trailing and minor white spotting from the crest and nape. Rufous-brown
marking trail down along the flanks and both sides of the chest in
wide streaks leaving a center white streak down the center of the
chest from the lower throat into the white belly. Eyes are yellow
and it has short white brows.

Similar species: Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
has streaking on the forehead and nape rather than spots. Costa Rican
Pygmy-Owl has a longer tail, spotted upper parts and evenly colored
head/back differing from the Central American Pygmy-Owl's largely
unspotted back and contrasting brown-grey head. The Mountain Pygmy-Owl
has a longer tail and distictive white throat that is missing on the
Central American Pygmy-Owl.

The Central American Pygmy-Owl, like
many of its pygmy-owl cousins, preys largely on other birds. Its diet
also includes insects, lizards and other small vertebrates. It hunts
by sitting at a perch and scanning for prey, attacking with a swift
dash and pounce. Unlike most pygmy-owls this owl is active at night.
Although it is still considered a primarily diurnal species it is
not unusual to encounter this owl vocalizing at night.

Its call generally consists
of a series of hollow ringing notes given at three notes per second.
Sets of notes often start at one to one and one half seconds in length
and progressively extend to a consistent five seconds in overall length.
The sets are given at variable intervals.

Breading: Lays 2-4 eggs in April through
May in tree cavity, abandoned woodpecker holes and maybe even openings
in old termite nests in the trees. Nesting is poorly known and needs
further research.